The food and drinks served at the banquet have been carefully tested.
Pardon me!
Wait!
Your Highness, I'll trouble you
to drink this cup of wine for His Majesty.
Assassination attempt at the Que Building?
This so-called assassination attempt must have been orchestrated by Wu Meiniang
to force the Crown Prince to step down,
execute shangguan Yi
and exile Han Yuan and Lai Ji.
That woman is obviously coming after the Guanlong aristocrats.
Father, we must fight back.
Did you know, before the banquet,
the Crown Prince secretly summoned shangguan Yi, Han Yuan and Lai Ji?
No, I didn't.
Even if they were involved, they were only doing it for the Guanlong's.
They had no choice.
If they were going after Wu Meiniang,
it's probably not a bad thing.
We've been biding our time, perhaps this is it.
Between the Guanlong aristocrats and the poor scholars,
and between Wu Meiniang and I, it's time for a showdown.
What are you thinking?
I'm thinking we're able to stand here today
and rise from decades of frustration in the official circle,
all thanks to this woman.
Your Highness!
Minister Li, why did you defy my order and informed His Majesty
about the assassination attempt at the Que Building?
I only have your best interests in mind.
We have chosen to be like vine and cling onto Your Highness,
obviously we'd like you to become a towering tree.
Looking ahead, we must try to remove any obstacles for you.
I respect the fighting spirit in you
despite the scorn and contempt others have shown you.
But now that you're on your way up, you tend to forget yourselves.
Minister Xu, taking concubines is not a big issue.
But if you were fighting with your descendents over women,
so you trumped up charges against them asked His Majesty to exile them to Lingnan
so that they had to die away from home,
what should your punishment be?
I lost my head!
Minister Li, because of a pretty woman thrown in jail,
you ordered the Grand Court to release her
and coerced the warden who set her free to commit suicide.
How should I punish you?
I'm unforgivable!
But Your Highness,
we have remained loyal to you, and Heaven can be our witness.
I made a mistake with the Eastern Palace incident.
From now on, I'll only do as I'm told and never argue again!
Me too!
That would be the best!
Thank you, gentlemen!
since shangguan Yi's memorial to depose the Empress,
someone seemed to have cast a huge net
and reeled out more line to catch more fish.
Maybe the Crown Prince's abdication was part of the Empress' plan from the start
If that's the case,
we were being presumptuous.
You suppose she'll groom the Prince of Dai?
Watch your mouth! It's just a wild guess.
This woman's mind is not something we can read.
Remember to do as you're told,
or our heads...
With our help, the Empress can go much further.
And our position in Taiji Hall will get closer to the dragon seat.
You'd better figure out how long you'll live first.
Again!
It's a tie, brother. Let's call it a day.
Thanks for letting me win, brother.
Good swordsmanship!
Hong'er! Xian'er! Come here...
Mother!
Hong'er, just now...
you could have stabbed him. Why did you stop?
I didn't want Xian to get hurt.
Good! You have a heart of benevolence, just like your Father.
You must use this heart to empathise with your subjects, understand?
Yes, Mother!
Mother,
I obviously won the duel.
From The Luxuriant Dew of the spring and Autumn Annals
copy the "3 Principles & 5 Virtues" 10 times and submit it to me in a month.
Why are you punishing me?
You won, but only with trickery to hurt your own brother.
That's why I must punish you.
Do you see what you've done wrong?
I...
Milady, Your Highnesses...
Just now, Xu Jingzong followed your order
and submitted a memorial in Court
to suggest naming the Prince of Dai as the Crown Prince.
There was no objection in Court.
What did His Majesty say?
His Majesty...postponed the decision.
You haven't been here for years.
What made you come over today?
There was someone whom I personally sent off.
I was guilt-ridden and regretted it.
so I came here to light my first altar lamp.
Then came Zhong'er's Mother.
so I lit a second one.
I promised her I'd guarantee his well being, but I failed.
Meiniang, I know you feel you owe her something.
But Zhong'er has gone too far this time.
I'm sure his mother wouldn't blame you.
Leaving Chang'an may be a nice break for him.
No, he's scared of me.
He's scared that someday,
in order to make way for Xian'er or Hong'er to become the Crown Prince,
I would get rid of him.
He's worried I'd depose him.
Or even kill him!
You can't really blame him.
since ancient times,
many Empresses have done the same.
Don't worry, Meiniang!
I'll send him to Liangzhou and make him the Prince of Liang.
He'll get double the allowance for a prince.
2,000 households will be enough
He'll live a life equal that of Chang'an, if not better.
Your Majesty!
The Crown Prince title is vacant with Zhong'er gone.
I want to pick one from our children.
You mean...
By rule, Hong'er is the eldest,
I should make him the Crown Prince.
But in terms of literary talent and swordsmanship,
Xian'er beat him on both counts.
He's my choice.
Xian'er is smart indeed.
I have drafted the edict,
if you agree, I can issue it tomorrow.
That's what they said.
About naming the Crown Prince, I have a different view.
Tell me.
Because the late Emperor chose you,
Chengqian and Li Tai lived out their lives peacefully.
Though Li Ke is dead, he died with no regrets.
It's a much better turnout than your Father's generation.
Only a benevolent Emperor can ensure his brothers' well being
and show more understanding towards his subjects.
Among your sons, Hong'er takes after you.
I hope you can make him the Crown Prince.
I'm worried this boy is too kind
and it would be tough for him as the Emperor.
Just like it was tough for me.
Don't sell yourself short, Your Majesty!
You're doing very well.
We can't protect the children forever.
A sword must be sharpened,
just like an eagle must fall before it can fly.
Literary talents and swordsmanship can be trained,
but a benevolent heart is inborn and can't be learnt.
Congratulations, Your Highness!
What for? I'm grounded.
We just got word from the Palace,
His Majesty has drafted an edict naming you as the Crown Prince.
The edict will reach your residence tomorrow
Are you sure?
Our informer heard it himself.
Good! Great! Help me...
...prepare my new clothes for tomorrow.
What's taking so long?
Where is the eunuch with the edict?
We have news!
Your Highness!
The eunuch is here with the edict?
No!
What news did you bring?
The edict went to the Prince of Dai.
The newly named Crown Prince is the Prince of Dai!
The Prince of Dai?
There's one more thing.
Tell me!
Word from the Palace is that...
the Empress asked His Majesty to choose the Prince of Dai instead.
The Empress?
Your Highness!
Your Highness...
Meiniang, using the Records of surnames to replace the Records of Clans
is like opening up opportunities for poor scholars to get promoted.
You have taken a big load off my mind.
Your Majesty,
The Records of surnames is 100 volumes longer than the Records of Clans
It has 48 fewer surnames and 1,364 fewer families.
It has included all the 5th ranked courtiers or above.
From now on,
any soldier who is promoted to 5th rank based on merit will be included.
In other words, if the Records of surnames
can replace the Records of Clans as the official genealogy,
I can immediately revoke the special privileges of over 1,000 families
and pave the way for poor scholars to get promoted.
Even slaves,
if they make any contributions to Tang
anyone 5th ranked or above can be included.
If we use the Records of surnames as the genealogy
and rely more on the Imperial Examinations
commoners who are appointed can surpass the aristocratic clans.
From now on, these aristocrats can no longer threaten Tang.
You must have worked very hard.
The actual compilation was done by the Ministry of Rites.
I didn't do much work.
Knowing you, for something so important,
you wouldn't have relied on anyone else.
someone might have done the actual work,
but every detail must have your approval.
The Records of surnames have over 100 volumes.
You made painstaking efforts to get it done.
When Mother wrote the Examples for Women for Father,
the effort she put in was probably nothing more than this.
Look! You're barely 30 and you already have grey hair.
It's because of me you had to work so hard.
Why do you work so hard?
Because I'm greedy.
since I came back from Ganye Temple.
you have been very kind to me.
Like you said, old age beckons.
I already have greying temples,
and am aging by the day.
If I'm only content with
being a favoured concubine because of her looks,
or being the Crown Prince's mother,
then between you and I,
there'll be a day when faults are thick where love is thin.
Meiniang!
Maybe one day
a young and prettier woman will take my place in your heart.
I don't want such a day to come.
I don't want you to leave me.
That's why I want to be more than your Empress and bosom friend.
I want to give you counsel, and fight alongside you.
I want to be the sharpest sword in your hand
so you would never want to leave me.
You...You always underestimate my love for you
Fine! I'll say this again.
I will never change.
Father, Wu Meiniang came up with the Records of surnames
to replace the Records of Clans.
she's obviously declaring war on us.
What's more absurd is that
His Majesty named her the Heavenly Empress and allowed her in the Court.
How can a woman sit inside Taiji Hall?
so?
Didn't you declare war on her already?
What? I don't understand what you mean!
Please don't be angry.
I already told you not to lie when you can't fool anyone.
I admit it.
shangguan Yi's impeachment of the Empress... I was involved.
Don't beat around the bush.
Who was behind the Que Building poisoning?
I was.
How many of you?
There are 73 of us in my secret circle.
All young members of aristocratic families.
The clans of Wei, Gao, Han and Lai, all took part in it.
I know I was reckless.
Plotting against the Empress is treason and will tarnish your reputation.
But since Wu Meiniang became the Empress,
she has been bewitching His Majesty
to promote poor scholars to counter the aristocratic clans.
And now...this nonsense about the Records of surnames.
If we don't do something,
the Guanlong aristocrats will soon disappear.
It must have been tough for you
to think about the future of the aristocrats.
Get up!
Thank you, Father.
I can't believe His Majesty would dote on a woman who is our enemy
and even let her into the Court and meddle with state affairs.
It's time we corrected this mistake
or else it'd be bad for Tang.
I reprimanded you not because you opposed Wu Meiniang,
but because your reckless behaviour is utterly disappointing.
Do you realise Wu Meiniang has enough evidence to declare war on us?
Brace yourself!
Or we'll be late for the inauguration ceremony.
Greetings, Mother!
Get up!
Hong'er, you're no longer a child from now on.
You must behave differently.
Look at you! Your cap crown is askew.
I can manage, Mother.
The inauguration ceremony will last 8 hours.
The last part of the ceremony inside Taiji Hall has no breaks.
Don't drink so much water or you'll have to relief yourself.
Mother!
Hong'er, no matter how old you are,
whether you're the Crown Prince or the future Emperor,
to me,
you'll always be my son.
Military Governor of Junzhou and Left General Li Hong,
is filial, polite and studious.
In naming the heir to the throne,
he is accepted and recommended by all
to carry on the lineage
and bring stability and peace to the kingdom
He is hereby named the Crown Prince
in this inauguration ceremony.
Thank you, Father!
Long live Your Majesty!
Meiniang, in the morning assembly tomorrow
I intend to suggest when we conduct Fengshan at Mount Tai,
I'll put you in charge of the second offering.
Why would you want to do that?
someone is bound to oppose.
It's useless for them to oppose.
Xu Jingzong and Li Yifu are now listed in the Records of surnames.
I intend to make them chancellors as soon as possible,
to replace Han Yuan and Lai Ji.
The aristocrats' loss will be the commoners' gain.
From now on, whatever I want to do, I'll have enough support from the Court.
There's no need for you to change ceremonial rituals followed for centuries just for me.
Feng, is the ritual to worship Heaven.
shan, is the ritual to worship Earth.
Kun, is the tribute to the God Earth.
It should be the Empress' duty to conduct the ceremony.
From now on, at all Fengshan ceremonies,
I will do the first offering, you'll be in charge of the second,
and the Consort Dowagers will conduct the final offering.
I want to show the world how important you are to me.
How important I am to you is something for me to know.
You need not tell the world.
Besides, in recent times,
you've been suffering from more frequent relapses of fengji
and the word has spread.
I tend to think
you should conduct the entire Fengshan ceremony
so that you can show your subjects the Emperor's dignity,
and tell everyone you are well.
I can never win any arguments with you!
I know what to do with the second offering.
We'll deal with it later.
That's because reason is always on my side.
Right...
This is specially ordered from the Western Regions.
It's compact and easy to hide
and can be used single-handedly.
It can penetrate an armour from 100 paces away.
And you can dip the arrow head in poison.
You can't miss and can shoot to kill.
Let me try...
Anything to report?
I have something to report.
Go ahead, Chancellor.
At the upcoming Fengshan ceremony
I nominate the Empress to conduct the second offering.
Tell me, Chancellor...
Why do you think the Empress is qualified for such a task?
Your Majesty has the mandate of Heaven.
Your benevolence is the reason Tang remains peaceful
and its people contended.
The Fengshan ceremony is to offer sacrifices to Heaven and Earth
since Your Majesty is united with the Empress,
naturally she should take part in the ceremony.
Besides she helps run the Harem in such an orderly fashion.
Hence I recommend that Her Highness conduct the second offering.
Your Majesty, for the good fortune of Tang,
I urge you to grant your permission.
Please grant your permission, Your Majesty...
You should be happy.
since you ascended the throne,
you seldom agree with Chancellor Zhangsun.
This is no time for jokes.
This is so unlike Uncle.
Now that the aristocratic clans have suffered such a setback.
You should be a thorn in his flesh.
How could he possibly recommend you for conducting the second offering?
I find this rather odd as well.
I get a feeling there's more that meets the eye.
They're coming after you.
This must be a trap.
If they want to kill me,
why don't they do it secretly?
Why make an announcement in Court?
He wants to remind me... to take precautions.
If I don't show up, they'll think I am,
or even you are still fearful of Chancellor Zhangsun.
You have just started to stifle their arrogance,
we can't let them rise from the ashes.
I'll designate su Dingfang
to deploy Imperial Guards to protect you at Mount Tai.
I won't put you in harm's way.
It's useless, Mount Tai has steep terrain.
sheshou Mountain is on the way to the second offering.
There are places along the way that are indefensible.
Chancellor Zhangsun's students are among the Imperial Guards.
In recent years,
though you have dismissed several aristocratic commanders,
to completely eliminate them is a long and difficult process.
If they want to come after me, it's impossible to guard against them.
Do you have to go?
Remember in the year 653
when Gaoyang staged a coup and you insisted on going to Ganye Temple?
I tried to stop you.
Do you remember what you told me?
I said it was my predestined fate.
I can't run from it.
You and your temper...
Looks like you won't listen to me.
If you insist on going,
I'll be with you the whole time during the second offering.
I won't let you out of my sight.
I'll also give you a soft armour made of golden silk
for just in case.
If you conduct the first offering and I do the second,
we must be separated to complete the Fengshan ritual.
Meiniang... Don't worry!
I'll be fine.
I have a feeling,
if I survive Mount Tai we may bring about a brand new Tang.
I hope so.
Alight!
This is the legendary sakyamuni?
Yes, Milady!
The Buddhist doctrine is universal salvation
Universal salvation?
Wu Meiniang!
Kill this witch for Tang!